2026-0007 Provision of Enterprise Architecting Services (NS) - TUE 3 Mar

Bidding Instructions -Technical Proposal

Bidders shall submit a proposal clearly providing the following information:

a. CV and attestation of the assigned resource for the project that is/are meeting the requirements as per section 10. The CV shall contain accurate contact details for the reference person for each of the listed professional experiences relevant to this Statement of Work.

b. The Proposal shall contain also, at the minimum, the following statements relevant to the proposed contractor personnel:

• Relevant experience in providing architecting services focusing on interoperability: list 2 (two) specific projects in the last 3 years that demonstrate the required experience, including details about objective, output, outcome and role exercised.
• Relevant experience in interoperability modelling (including data models) and/or integration design and standardization: list at least 2 (two) specific projects in the last 3 years that demonstrate this experience, including details about objective, output, outcome and role exercised.
• Relevant experience working in NATO or national committees and working groups (architecting, capability development): list the groups where this experience was gained in the last 3 years, and the type of activity undertaken.
• Experience in using architecture modelling tools (e.g. Sparx, System Architect, ARIS): List at least 2 (two) projects / activities where this experience has been demonstrated and provide details of modelling methodology and conventions used.

Deadline Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026

Requirement: Provision of Enterprise Architecting Services

Location: Brussels, BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Period of Performance: As soon as possible but not later than 16 April 2026 until 31 Dec 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

1 OVERALL PROJECT SCOPE

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) located in The Hague, The Netherlands, is providing technical support to the NATO HQ Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division to provide architecting expertise to support addressing Architecture Capability Team (ACaT) POW, development of Reference Architectures (RA) and support integration of RAs in Architecture for Digital Technologies within the Alliance (AIDA).

2 TASKS FOR ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTING

The general services to be provided are delivery of enterprise architecture outcomes:

• resulting in deliverables from the Architecture Capability Team ACaT POW, including attending the quarterly meetings (1 at NATO HQ, 2 in other locations).
• resulting in integration of RAs in the AIDA, with specific focus on RAs provided by nations.
• related to leading and supporting architecture sprints in coordination with other stakeholders.
• allowing for cohering already existing architectures in light of the AIDA, and of the principles developed in the EA Policy, identifying architectural diagrams that could be re-used within the AIDA.

3 ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

3.1 Activities (Non-Deliverable)

The Contractor shall perform the following activities in support of the deliverables defined in Section 3.2. These activities are not considered deliverables in themselves.

• Preparing ACaT meetings, setting agendas, engaging with representatives, manage action lists, prepare working papers and presentations, and orchestrate required SME expertise.
• Investigating and cohering Digital Interoperability Standards (standards with DPC as tasking authority) and Interoperability Profiles against what is reported in the NATO Interoperability Standards and Profiles (NISP).
• Carry out modelling in Archi such RAs focusing on the interfaces and interoperability points, identifying potential conflicts or duplications across the 5 interoperability layers defined in the Digital Interoperability Digital Interoperability Framework for the Alliance (DIFA).
• Cohering already existing architectures in light of the AIDA, and of the principles developed in the EA Policy, identifying architectural diagrams that could be re-used within the AIDA.
• Lead and support architecture sprints in coordination with other stakeholders, to ensure that the team delivers against the objectives of the sprint, within the allocated time and that the delivered products can be included in the AIDA.

3.2 Deliverables

D001 – Architecture products in support of the ACaT 2026 POW

Contribute to the ACaT in implementing their 2026 POW. This includes participation to 3 ACaT meetings, delivering actions and taskers discussed and agreed within the ACaT.

Format: All architecture data will be provided in the ArchiMate Open Exchange Format. Other deliverables will be delivered in standard office document formats.

Content shall include: Agreed set of architecture artefact (stored in the architecture repository); Report (narrative) describing the architecture artefacts.

Delivery timeline: Update per quarter.

Acceptance: Approval by the NCIA PM in coordination with the CDT project sponsor or designated authority.

D002 – Integration of RAs in the AIDA

Development and maintenance of the AIDA. This includes investigating, developing plans, and executing them to implement the short-term objectives as agreed by Allies in PO(2024)0437.

Format: All architecture data will be provided in the ArchiMate Open Exchange Format. Other deliverables will be delivered in standard office document formats.

Content shall include: Catalogues of common building blocks for re-use in Reference Architectures; Architecture model of the mapping of digital interoperability standards to the C3 Taxonomy.

Delivery timeline: Update per quarter.

Acceptance: Approval by the NCIA PM in coordination with the CDT project sponsor or designated authority.

D003 – Architecture artefacts for new or updated Reference Architectures

Includes support to other communities developing reference architectures (together with CDT and NCIA architects). It allows provision of support to smaller organizations, in line with the EA Policy principles, and to ensure that newly developed architectures are already aligned with NATO EA’s principles, standard methodologies (e.g., NAF) and initiatives (e.g., AIDA).

Format: All architecture data will be provided in the ArchiMate Open Exchange Format.

Other deliverables will be delivered in standard office document formats.

Content shall include: Architecture descriptions of the services in new, or updated increments, of Reference Architectures, and related interoperability profiles; Reference Architectures Patterns – supporting instantiating the RAs.

Delivery timeline: Update per quarter.

Acceptance: Approval by the NCIA PM in coordination with the CDT project sponsor or designated authority.

4 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

This requirement is for the delivery of the products identified in Section 3.2. Payment will be provided based on these deliveries as indicated below:

Item 1: D003

Delivery Date: 30 June 2026

Item 2: D003

Delivery Date: 30 September 2026

Item 3: D001, D002, D003

Delivery Date: 30 June 2026

Payment Milestones: Completion of each milestone shall be accompanied documented in Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex A), signed for acceptance by the Purchaser’s authorized point of contact and the Contractor

Schedule of payments: Payment will be made after the Purchaser has accepted a respective deliverable and signed its Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) (Annex A).

The contractor shall submit an invoice, with approved DAS attached, to the Purchaser for payment as per the schedule listed above.

5 SECURITY CLEARANCE

Services included in this SOW require contractor’s personnel to be in the possession of a valid NATO SECRET security clearance from the start of contract.

6 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The services are to be provided for the period starting NLT 16 Apr 2026 through 31 December 2026.

7 PRACTICAL ARRENGEMENTS

This is a Completion-type contract requires one consultant with the identified skills to complete the service.

Services will be performed on-site at NATO HQ, who is responsible for office space.

8 TRAVEL

This Task Order requires scheduled travel to 2 ACaT meeting outside NATO HQ (as stated in section 2), each for a duration of 5 days:

• 20APR26 - Architecture CaT Meeting #55 in Paris (FRA) /5d

• 21SEP26 - Architecture CaT Meeting #56 in Ottawa (CAN) /5d

All travel expenses, including per diem, lodging and associated expenses for travel are included in the price of the bid (NTE), such that the purchaser shall not be invoiced separately for travel.

Extraordinary Travel (Purchaser Directed Travel) may be required to other NATO or non-NATO locations as necessary. In the event of such unforeseen meetings being called, the cost of all travel and subsistence will be addressed through a contract amendment.

Extraordinary Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Article 5.5 of AAS+ Framework Contract. Such costs will be set as a separate PO line with a not to exceed value to cover and reimburse of actual expenses upon submissions of all receipts and invoices in line with NCIA processes.

9 CONSTRAINTS

NATO will retain the intellectual property rights for all products developed in relation to this project.

All deliverables, scripts, documentation and required code will be stored as directed by NCIA.

10 SPECIFIC EXPERTISE REQUIRED

[See Requirements]

Requirements

5 SECURITY CLEARANCE

• Services included in this SOW require contractor’s personnel to be in the possession of a valid NATO SECRET security clearance from the start of contract.

10 SPECIFIC EXPERTISE REQUIRED

The services described in this SOW require contractor personnel with experience in Enterprise Architecture and in addressing challenges related to interoperability. The following experience/expertise is essential for this requirement:

A) Mandatory Education and Experience

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified University in a related discipline and 3 years post-related experience related to.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in applying the Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and ArchiMate modelling language, or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in carrying out Interoperability modelling (including data models) and/or integration design and Standardization.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in carrying out data centric architecting / modelling, and associated concepts / technologies.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in using architecture modelling tools (e.g. Sparx, System Architect, ARIS).
• Documented (or demonstrable) experience in process analysis, and design techniques, including needs assessment, specification development, planning and gap analysis, for at least 5 years.
• Documented (or demonstrable) experience in interoperability activities including data modeling and/or integration design and Standardization for at least 3 years.

B) Desirable Knowledge and Experience

• Robust technical knowledge of NATO operations, responsibilities and organization – with specific focus on how NATO achieves technical interoperability on the battlefield.
• Comprehensive understanding of NATO’s AI and Data strategies.
• Extensive knowledge in The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and ArchiMate modelling language.
• Knowledge of ITIL, COBIT, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with current and evolving capabilities and trends in military and civilian communication protocols and standards.

C) Desirable Competencies

• Deciding and Initiating Action - Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks.
• Adhering to Principles and Values - Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; promotes and defends equal opportunities, builds diverse teams; encourages organizational and individual responsibility towards the community and the environment.
• Relating and Networking - Easily establishes good relationships with customers and staff; relates well to people at all levels; builds wide and effective networks of contacts; uses humor appropriately to bring warmth to relationships with others.
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Works strategically to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies; identifies, develops positive and compelling visions of the organization’s future potential; takes account of a wide range of issues across, and related to, the organization.
• Achieving Personal Work Goals and Objectives - Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm; works hard and puts in longer hours when it is necessary; seeks progression to roles of increased responsibility and influence; identifies own development needs and makes use of developmental or training opportunities.